Why Ampel Mosque is special ?

Enter Ampel mosque area just like resides in Mid-East country. The typical aroma direct fragrant when we arrive there. Mosque that being built by Raden Rahmatullah in 1421, is reside in Ampel Street Surabaya. The pilgrim arrival or the visitor will be greeted by the merchants who sell various supplies to pray and also souvenir like godly clothes, prayer beads, cowl, cap, perfume until date.

As one of the eldest mosque and most crowded in Surabaya, Ampel Mosque have special story with ‘Sunan Ampel’, one of ‘Wali Songo’ who have an effect in broad Islam in Java. Sunan Ampel Mausoleum located in building west of Ampel Mosque. When its firstly built, This fairish mosque 45 m x 45 m with number of pillars which made from teak wooden 16 each fruits is length 17 m without extension. Its diameter is about 60 cm. So this thing becomes a question mark and idiosyncrasy. At that moment there are not heavy equipments yet and few number of men, how to do the Mosque building.

What to explore at Ampel Mosque?

The Ampel mosque together with the tomb of Sunan Ampel provide serenity and quiet for those who wish to pray and visit the tomb on pilgrimage, where only the drone of prayers of those present can be heard. Besides for daily prayers, other activities held here include, communal prayers for the dead, circumcision ceremonies, parades of Ampel villagers from their homes at Kampung Margi to the mosque and other religious activities.

At the entrance of the Ampel mosque hawkers line both sides of the alley way selling all kinds of goods from perfume, to sarongs, black caps,Muslim clothings, rosaries, to zamzam water from Mecca, and other prayer needs. There are also hawkers selling Ampel specialty snacks and food like prawn cakes to arabian curry.

In this compound you will find Middle Eastern food like dates, kebuli rice, to maryam cakes. There are also hawkers sellling kebab, cane bread , mutton curry, mutton fried rice, maryam bread, briani rice and typical Middle Eastern martabak (egg crepes). The food is spicy and also quite chilli hot. Do not hesitate to taste some of these dishes.

How to get to Ampel Mosque?

The Ampel mosque lies in the heart of the Arab town, north of Jalan Nyamplungan and the second road left at Jalan Sasak. You will see many trishaws pedalling pilgrims to the mosque. To reach this place you can rent a car or use public transport. Upon arrival at Ampel you will find a small lane leading to Kampung Arab, which leads directly to the Ampel mosque.

From Jalan Nyamplungan main road you must continue on foot passing through narrow alleys. The 3 meters wide Jalan Ampel Kembang cuts through this densely populated area and leads to Jalan Ampel Suci, which is a covered alley way with shops selling all needs for prayers and accessories.

Reviews

Ampel Mosque is located not far from the Port of Tanjung Perak, which is the main port in the eastern region of Indonesia, about 4 km from the center of Surabaya.
As one of the oldest mosques and the most crowded mosque in Surabaya, Ampel Mosque has a certain relationship with the 'Sunan Ampel', which is one of "Wali Songo 'which plays an important role in spreading Islam in Java.
During Ramadan or month of fasting, Ampel area becomes more crowded. Like the Arab village, the area is much visited for the purposes of those who want to buy for Ramadan or Islamic items, such as, prayer beads, prayer rugs, mukenah, hoods etc. In addition, the Arab Ampel village has a variety of options for Arabic or Indian dishes.
Visited October 2014

Being the root of Islam in East Java, Masjid Ampel is really embodiing the purpose. To find the place is not not difficult especially when you have someone locally to show you when to turn and where to park. The mosque is in one of the most crowded neighborhood in Surabaya. Behind the mosque, you can find street vendors selling anything related and unrelated to the activities inside the Mosque. I got the chance to join the jamaah prayer that afternoon. It was a very tranquil prayer time. You could feel the feeling of camaraderie with every person around you. The mosque itself is not so big and stay in a very modest way. However, its simplicity is part of the greatest charm of the place.

In the history of the development of Islam in Indonesia, particularly in Java, we know &quot;wali songo&quot; term and one of them is the Sunan Ampel in Surabaya.It's a nice place to visit if you are curious about muslim in Indonesia.The center of this attraction is the Ampel mosque &amp; surrounding.Please don't wear your hot pants &amp; tanktop here :) you can come to the information center in mosque yard around &amp; they'll help you.

Being the root of Islam in East Java, Masjid Ampel is really embodiing the purpose. To find the place is not not difficult especially when you have someone locally to show you when to turn and where to park. The mosque is in one of the most crowded neighborhood in Surabaya. Behind the mosque, you can find street vendors selling anything related and unrelated to the activities inside the Mosque. I got the chance to join the jamaah prayer that afternoon. It was a very tranquil prayer time. You could feel the feeling of camaraderie with every person around you. The mosque itself is not so big and stay in a very modest way. However, its simplicity is part of the greatest charm of the place.